Process for the production of cleaning and care preparations containing APG emulsifier

ABSTRACT

In the new process, cleaning and care preparations for floors, shoes, leather and furniture are produced by mixing a wax emulsion containing alkyl glycoside as emulsifier with the other constituents of the preparation. The alkyl glycosides correspond to the following general formula 
     
         R--O(--G).sub.n                                            I 
    
     in which R is a long-chain C 8-22  alkyl radical, G is a glycoside-bonded residue of a monosaccharide and n has a value of 1 to 10. The wax emulsions are distinguished by particular particle fineness and extremely good compatibility with the other constituents of the preparations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to emulsions of wax in water and to their use incleaning and care preparations.

2. Statement of Related Art

For many applications, waxes are not used in bulk or in solution, butrather in the form of emulsions in water which have various advantagesover the other forms, such as ease of application, rapid mixing withother aqueous phases and the absence of inflammable or toxic solvents.Since waxes are generally not self-emulsifying, suitable emulsifiershave to be added as auxiliaries for the preparation of wax emulsions.Through the lack of workable theoretical concepts, theseauxiliaries--even today--are still best selected empirically from thebroad range of known emulsifiers. In many cases, compounds which have anexcellent emulsifying effect on certain waxes are less suitable orunsuitable for other waxes. In many cases, therefore, the choice isstill confined to emulsifiers which are not without disadvantages, suchas inadequate biodegradability and incompatibility with other desiredformulation ingredients, or which have troublesome effects in thepractical application of the preparations produced from the emulsions.Thus, both cationic and anionic and nonionic emulsifiers are used today.Among the nonionic emulsifiers, highly ethoxylated fatty alcohols andsorbitan esters containing more than 20 mol ethylene oxide (EO) permolecule are of particular significance despite their poorbiodegradability.

On account of the disadvantages attending most of the known emulsifierssuitable for wax, a search is still being conducted for compounds whichare more suitable for the production and use of wax emulsions.

It has now been found that wax emulsions having excellent properties forfurther processing to cleaning and care preparations can be obtainedproviding certain alkyl glycosides are used as emulsifiers in theirproduction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a process for theproduction of wax-containing preparations for the cleaning and care offurniture, paint, leather, shoes or floors, in which an emulsion of waxin water containing as emulsifier an alkyl glycoside corresponding togeneral formula I

    R--O(--G).sub.n                                            I

in which R is a long-chain C₈₋₂₂ alkyl radical, G is a glycoside-bondedresidue of a monosaccharide and n has a value of 1 to 10, is mixed withthe other constituents of the preparation.

The new process is distinguished by the fact that the wax emulsions usedare particularly fine-particle emulsions and, as such, show highstability in storage. It is also worth noting that these wax emulsionscan be incorporated particularly easily in the other constituents of thecleaning and care preparations. There is virtually no incompatibilitywith these constituents either during the production of the preparationsor in their subsequent use.

The alkyl glycosides used as emulsifiers belong to a class ofsurfactants which have been known for more than 50 years and which wereprimarily proposed as wetting agents and cleaning agents in thetreatment of textiles.

The alkyl glycosides may be prepared by methods known per se, cf. interalia European patent application 362 671 where literature on earlierprocesses is also cited.

One synthesis of particular significance for large-scale production isessentially based on the acid-catalyzed condensation of monosaccharidesof the aldose type (HO--G) with long-chain alcohols (R--OH) containing 8to 22 and preferably 10 to 18 carbon atoms. Alkyl glycosidescorresponding to formula I

    R--O(--G).sub.n

in which the value of n can be varied within wide limits through thechoice of the reaction conditions, are formed with elimination of water.Alkyl glycosides corresponding to formula I with n=1 to 10 are suitablefor the purposes of the invention, compounds in which n=1 to 6 and, moreparticularly, 1 to 2 being particularly preferred. In products where nis greater than 1, n is of course a statistical mean value.

The alkyl glycosides may also be produced from oligo- or polysaccharideswhich, in the course of the acid-catalyzed reaction, are then firstdepolymerized by hydrolysis and/or alcoholysis to lower fragments beforethe alkyl glycosides corresponding to formula I are formed. Mixtures ofvarious reducing monosaccharides or polysaccharides containing variousmonosaccharide units may also be used as starting materials, in whichcase alkyl glycoside molecules of correspondingly mixed composition canbe formed where n is greater than 1.

The following monosaccharides are preferred starting materials: glucose,mannose, galactose, arabinose, apiose, lyxose, gallose, altrose, idose,ribose, xylose and talose and the oligo- and polysaccharides made up ofthese monosaccharides, for example maltose, lactose, maltotriose,hemicellulose, starch, partial hydrolyzates of starch and sugar syrup.

However, alkyl glycosides made up of identical monosaccharide units arepreferred for the purposes of the invention. Alkyl glycosides in whichthe residue (--G) is derived from glucose are particularly preferred.Glucose, maltose, starch and other oligomers of glycose arecorrespondingly used for these compounds which are also known as alkylglycosides.

In the above-described synthesis, the alkyl moiety R is derived fromlong-chain, optionally unsaturated, preferably primary alcohols whichmay be branched, but are preferably not branched. Examples are thesynthetic C₉₋₁₅ oxoalcohols and the C₈₋₂₂ fatty alcohols obtained fromnatural fatty acids. C₁₀₋₁₈ fatty alcohols and C₁₁₋₁₅ oxoalcohols arepreferred, C₁₂₋₁₄ fatty alcohols being particularly preferred.

In addition to the actual alkyl glycosides corresponding to formula I,industrially produced products generally contain certain amounts of freealcohol R--OH and non-acetalized saccharides, optionally in oligomerizedform. In most cases, these technical impurities do not affect theintended application. If the alkyl glycosides are produced from alcoholsmixtures, for example from alcohols based on natural fats, the alkylglycosides are of course also mixtures with a correspondingly broadmeaning of R in formula I.

In the emulsions used in accordance with the invention, the alkylglycosides are generally used in quantities of not more than 15%, basedon the total weight of the emulsion. Contents of 0.5 to 10% by weightare preferred, contents of 1 to 4% by weight being particularlypreferred. With high emulsifier contents, the emulsions become highlyviscous, although in most cases this does not affect their usefulness.

Any known waxes of natural and synthetic origin suitable for use incleaning and care preparations may be used as waxes for the emulsionsused in accordance with the invention. Examples of natural waxes arecarnauba and candelilla wax while examples of synthetic waxes arepolyethylene and montanic ester waxes. Carnauba and candelilla wax andmontanic ester waxes having dropping points of 75° to 90° C. and acidvalues of 15 to 40 are particularly preferred.

The waxes may be present in the emulsions used in accordance with theinvention in quantities of up to 25%, based on the total weight of theemulsion. The wax content is preferably between 2 and 15% by weight and,more preferably, between 2 and 10% by weight.

The emulsions, which--in the most simple case contain no otherconstituents than wax, alkyl glycoside and water, are generally preparedfrom a preformed mixture of liquid wax and emulsifier which is eitherstirred into hot water or, conversely, hot water is stirred into thismixture. In both cases, the hot emulsion is subsequently cooled withoutvigorous stirring. In some cases, however, it can also be of advantageinitially to dissolve the emulsifier in water and to distribute themolten wax in the resulting solution with vigorous stirring. Dependingon the concentration of the constituents, the emulsions are liquid topaste-like and possibly thixotropic.

Although emulsions consisting only of wax, alkyl glycoside and water arepreferred for the purposes of the invention, other auxiliaries may ofcourse be added to the emulsions for special applications. Suchauxiliaries are, primarily, additional emulsifiers which may emanatefrom any known classes, including both nonionic and anionic and cationicemulsifiers, and co-emulsifiers, for example alkalis, amines or solublepolymers. However, the percentage content of these additionalemulsifiers and co-emulsifiers is generally lower than that of the alkylglycosides. preservatives and substances for lowering the freezing pointare mentioned by way of example as further auxiliaries.

In the most simple case, the cleaning and care preparations are producedby stirring the wax emulsion into the preformed mixture of the othercomponents of the preparation. The surprisingly good compatibility ofthe wax emulsions based on alkyl glycosides has a particularlyadvantageous effect in this regard. However, it is also possibleinitially to introduce only part of the other constituents into waterand, after mixing with the wax emulsion, subsequently to incorporate theremaining constituents of the preparation or, alternatively, to startout from the wax emulsion and to introduce the other constituentssuccessively or more or less simultaneously into the emulsion. Thisparticular variant is appropriate above all when the preparationscontain only a few components apart from the wax emulsion. Thepreparations are normally produced at room temperature or slightlyelevated temperature. The quantity of wax emulsion used in theproduction of the preparations may be selected virtually as required andis dependent on the quantity of wax which is to be present in the endproduct.

Furniture and paint care preparations based on the wax emulsionsaccording to the invention contain caring oils, for example paraffinoils and/or silicone oils, and optionally preservatives, dyes, solvents,such as petrol, and antistatic agents as further constituents.

Leather-care preparations based on the wax emulsions according to theinvention contain as further care constituents oils, for examplesilicone oils, and/or film-forming polymers, for example polyacrylatesand polyurethanes, and optionally dyes, fragrance, preservatives,plasticizers, solvents and consistency regulators.

Floor cleaning and care preparations based on the wax emulsionsaccording to the invention contain as cleaning agents surfactants,particularly from the classes of anionic and nonionic surfactants, andoptionally film-forming polymers, for example polyacrylates, styrenecopolymers and polyurethanes, plasticizers, water-immiscible solvents,preservatives, sequestering agents, fragrances and dyes. In the case ofthe cleaning preparations, the good biodegradability of the alkylglycosides is an additional advantage.

A typical formulation of a floor-care preparation has the followingcomposition for example:

    ______________________________________                                        Na C.sub.12/14 fatty alcohol sulfate                                                                2 to 6% by weight                                       C.sub.12/14 fatty alcohol ethoxylate (4 EO)                                                         2 to 6% by weight                                       Coconut oil fatty acid monoethanol-                                                                 1 to 3% by weight                                       amide                                                                         Wax emulsions (5 parts carnauba wax,                                                               15 to 45% by weight                                      1.5 parts coconut oil                                                         glucoside (n = 1.4),                                                          93.5 parts water)                                                             Preservative, fragrance, dye                                                                       less than 2% by weight                                   Water                ad 100% by weight                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 1

Production of an emulsion of carnauba wax

50 kg carnauba wax, flaked form, were introduced into a heatable stirredtank and, after the addition of 35 kg of a 50% coconut oil glucoside(Plantaren® APG 600, n=1.4), are heated to 85°-90° C. When the waxstarted to melt, stirring was commenced (powerful blade stirrer) toobtain a homogeneous mixture of wax and emulsifier and to prevent localfoaming of the emulsifier.

After all the wax had melted, 914 kg hot water (minimum temperature 95°C.) were slowly added with vigorous stirring. After all the water hadbeen added, the entire emulsion was immediately cooled to roomtemperature on a plate cooler and transferred to a separate vessel inwhich 1 kg glutaraldehyde was added as preservative with slow stirring.

EXAMPLE 2

Production of an emulsion of montanic ester wax

40 kg Hoechstwachs KSL (montanic ester wax--dropping point: 80°-85° C.,acid value: 28-38) were introduced into a heatable stirred tank with 28kg of a 50% coconut oil alkyl glucoside (Plantaren® APG 600, n=1.4), andheated to 85°-90° C. As in Example 1, stirring was commenced when thewax began to melt in order to obtain a homogeneous mixture of wax andemulsifier and to prevent local foaming of the emulsifier.

After all the wax had melted, 931 kg hot water (temperature 95° C.) wereslowly added with vigorous stirring. After all the water had been added,the entire emulsion was immediately cooled to room temperature on aplate cooler and transferred to a separate vessel.

EXAMPLE 3

Production of a care preparation applied by wiping

524.3 kg water at 40° C. were introduced into a mixing tank equippedwith a stirrer. 15 kg coconut oil fatty acid monoethanolamide(Comperlan® 100) were added with stirring and completely dissolved. 300kg of the wax emulsion of Example 1 were then stirred into the resultingsolution. 37 kg C₁₂₋₁₄ fatty alcohol+4 EO (Dehydol® LS 4) and 120 kgC₁₂₋₁₄ fatty alcohol sulfate, 35% (Texapon® LS 35) were then added withstirring. 3 kg fragrance and 0.7 kg glutaraldehyde were then added withstirring. The liquid preparation was packed in plastic canisters.

What is claimed is:
 1. A water-containing composition for the cleaningand care of furniture, paint, leather or shoes consisting essentially ofat least one care oil and a wax-containing emulsion comprising from 2 to25% by weight of wax in water and as an emulsifier an emulsifyingeffective quantity of at least one alkyl glycoside of the formula

    R--O(--G).sub.n                                            (I)

wherein R is a C₈₋₂₂ optionally unsaturated alkyl radical, G is aglycoside residue of a monosaccharide, and n is a number of from 1 to10.
 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein R in formula (I) is a C₁₀₋₁₈alkyl radical, G is a glucose residue, and n is a number from 1 to
 6. 3.The composition of claim 1 wherein said wax is selected from the groupconsisting of candelilla wax, carnauba wax, montanic ester wax, andmixtures thereof.
 4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the amount ofwax in the emulsion is from 2% to 15% by weight.
 5. The composition ofclaim 1 wherein the amount of alkyl glycoside in said emulsion is from0.5% to 10% by weight.
 6. The composition of claim 1 wherein thecomposition contains from 15 to 45% by weight of said wax emulsion.
 7. Awax-containing composition for the cleaning and care of furniture,paint, leather, shoes, or floors which comprises from 2% to 6% by weightof sodium C₁₂₋₃₄ fatty alcohol sulfate; from 2% to 6% by weight ofC₁₂₋₁₄ fatty alcohol (4EO) ethoxylate; from 1% to 3% by weight ofcoconut oil fatty acid monoethanolamide; up to 2% by weight of apreservative, fragrance, or dye; and from 15% to 45% by weight of anemulsion comprising 5 parts carnauba wax, 1.5 parts of coconut oilglucoside (n=1.4), and 93.5 parts of water.
 8. A process for thecleaning and care of furniture, paint, leather, shoes and floorscomprising applying to said furniture, paint, leather, shoes or floors awax-containing composition comprising an emulsion containing from 2 to25% by weight of wax in water and as an emulsifier an emulsifyingeffective quantity of at least one alkyl glycoside of the formula

    R--O(--G).sub.n                                            (I)

wherein R is a C₈₋₂₂ optionally unsaturated alkyl radical, G is aglycoside residue of a monosaccharide, and n is a number of from 1 to10.
 9. The process of claim 8 wherein R in formula (I) is a C₁₀₋₁₈ alkylradical, G is a glucose residue, and n is a number from 1 to
 6. 10. Theprocess of claim 8 wherein said wax is selected from the groupconsisting of candelilla wax, carnauba wax, montanic ester wax, andmixtures thereof.
 11. The process of claim 8 wherein the amount of waxin the emulsion is from 2% to 15% by weight.
 12. The process of claim 8wherein the amount of alkyl glycoside in said emulsion is from 0.5% to10% by weight.
 13. The process of claim 8 wherein the compositioncontains from 15 to 45% by weight of said wax emulsion.